Very Interesting Read, Please Check It Out

[Jared Kaufman]

mtvU and Billboard asked music-obsessed students around the nation to discuss their generation. After narrowing it down to five finalists, they asked them this question: Tell us everything wrong with the way music is being marketed to you. You can read the responses here (http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/student_voice/index.jsp). This will be our Discussion Question for today. How would you answer the same question? What'd you think of their responses?

Submitted By: Adam LaRue

[ACA]

They stole the love from our lives to put the sex on the radio.

[ACA]

While I might agree with you in other circumstances - I think these responses are great. Condescending essays to music execs who have NO experience in music but are more than likely former owners of alcohol and electronic conglomerates. They're more concerned about answering to stockholders than consumers.
I respectfully disagree with you.

These answers aren't insightful or even interesting. Some of the answers aren't even on topic.

What's wrong with the way music is marketed to you?

This is an interesting question. Morally, there's a lot of things wrong. Business-end, there's less things. And personal beliefs are an entire different door to open.

Morals:
Women are objectified. Promiscuous sex and drug use is encouraged, which is UNBELIEVABLE. It's one thing to passively deal with this issue, but to actively encourage it is unreal. A typical hip-hop video will contain lyrics about hany drugs and women a person can use, and then glamorize the lifestyle with half-naked women, expensive cars, and "cribs" the sizes of small countries. Murder and other forms of vigilantism is seen as a viable solution to problems. Female (and male) artists thrive on scandal, being naked, and drama. Popular musicians are in a "state of power" but act irresponsibly with it.

Business:The music industry is a dinosaur, still half stuck in the 1950s and half stuck in the 1980s/90s. They are moving in the right direction, but it's a slow process. It's hard to knock effectiveness of an industry, however, when talentless singers and celebrities and fake bands sell MILLIONS of albums. They're doing something right when Britney Spears's latest album goes more than platinum.

Personal Beliefs:
I'd fucking love it if people were more open to more music. This just is not the case. People are stupid. It's easier to mindlessly blast the latest top single than to sit down and take apart an album. Ask anyone on the street what song is better: Ja Rules's Holla Holla or Sigur Ros's Ny Batteri. You will get the WRONG answer. I would love to see Thursday marketed to more people, but it's not mindless music. It won't appeal to the masses, and the industry will suffer. People need hooks, big choruses, and poppy sounds.

That's a brief outline on how I would answer this question.. if I had to sit down and submit something for a contest, however, it would be much better.

-ACA

[Jared Kaufman]

They stole the love from our lives to put the sex on the radio.
Such a great line.

[joeshmoe909]

mtv is the answer.

i wonder how much they'll say that on mtv2.

Haha unfortunately it's definitely true.

[TheNumberOneFan]

i really like reading these

a lot of these kids seem to know what their talking about

[love_american_style]

there is so much wrong going on in the industry right now.....this will be an interesting tread.

[AdamWASFearless]

..and god damn, if those are the best five responses... today's youth is in worse shape than music.

-ACA

While I might agree with you in other circumstances - I think these responses are great. Condescending essays to music execs who have NO experience in music but are more than likely former owners of alcohol and electronic conglomerates. They're more concerned about answering to stockholders than consumers.

I'll be honest - I got in to the music industry because I wanted to be friends with great musicians. They intrigue me, inspire me, and motivate me like no other. It's unfortunate that people have lost sight of why we do this.

[solanka]

They act like they're forced to listen to a certain fad of music. Oh no we're just waiting for what the record execs. feed us next, shut the fuck up. Go out and find your own bands, it's not a requirement to like the next big thing,

[resUrectMe617]

i really enjoyed and agreed with those answers. marketing is all about image and representation and trends and playing off people's emotions/insecurities/etc. were any of those finalists marketing/advertising majors? i don't think so, i kind of find that funny.

[Elijscott]

I like how they all seemed to perfectly avoid answering the question posed to them.

[weegk]

mtv is the answer.

i wonder how much they'll say that on mtv2.

You beat me to it. These answers aren't real because MTV (especially mtvu) is a huge part of the problem. The market CDs based on one or two singles and rely on that to sell the album. The real problems with marketing music will never be brought up my their creator.

[Nowisnotthetime]

In the past, we had a pop bands like nsync and backstreet boys and we knew it was nothing but pop with no real substance and the people who just wanted to dance could dance. The underground had the meaningful music. Now, pop music under the guise of underground is the new mainstream. It has become very difficult for even the closest listener to differentiate between something with meaning and a band just out to be a rock star or make money *cough cute is what we cough aim for*. Music is marketed as independent and having integrity ie Victory Records when it is the furthest thing from genuine, see tony brummel talking to steve jobs after denouncing single song downloading in public. Major labels are stealing the soul we once had in independent music, see east/west label group. Now, we can't differentiate and the bands we find ourselves putting our heart and souls into are full of it. Hopefully, independent music can return to its genuinely independent, music-loving form, instead of the money or mass distributing loving current form. Mainstream music will never be genuine because major labels could care less but we had an independent music scene once that was so genuine and the kids that want genuine music are still there, it's the labels that need to realize that there's still a lot of us waiting for more music with heart.

[a hybrid]

as someone else mentioned the true problem all leads to viacom.

[A picasso blue]

the problem with marketing is that its marketed. it shouldnt be

[Vicky82]

marketing music to make people feel they have to dress/act a certain way is whats getting me annoyed. People are shocked when they find out i'm not some pop queen or whatever and i find that ridiculous...music has no face and music doesn't wear clothes so why do i have to look a certain way?

[Vicky82]

as someone else mentioned the true problem all leads to viacom.
very true

[MotionIsntMeaning]

I think the problem with the music industry is the same problem with most other business: they don't like to take risks. They want to make money and will only put out records that will make the greatest return. Once they find a trend that sells, they push the hell out of it till its no longer profitable. So basically we just keep hearing the same thing over again. I think indie labels and the internet will cause a shift in music towards more unique and individual styles - I hope. But if not, then screw radio and MTV, there's lots of good music out there you just have to look for it.

[GDSP]

"I'm not submerged in the three-chord punk/emo/pop world of adolescent pseudo-angst."

Haha

Here's the real problem. American white kids have low expectations and listen to music that isn't even fun. Underoath selling 100k is the problem. My Chemical Romance and Fall Out Boy being last year's breakout hits among the 16-20 US demographic instead of M.I.A. or Art Brut is the problem. White kids who feel like they aren't allowed to listen to mainstream hip-hop is the problem. Yellowcard being as big as they are is a problem. Same with Panic at the Disco. I could go on. For some reason our generation chooses to listen to bad music. There will always be bad music, but I'm afraid this is an especially low point. We have the internet, itunes, a million different options, yet we listen to the most unsatisfying, ear-grating garbage. Chances are, if you're on this site, you're part of the problem.

[Vicky82]

"I'm not submerged in the three-chord punk/emo/pop world of adolescent pseudo-angst."

Haha

Here's the real problem. American white kids have low expectations and listen to music that isn't even fun. Underoath selling 100k is the problem. My Chemical Romance and Fall Out Boy being last year's breakout hits among the 16-20 US demographic instead of M.I.A. or Art Brut is the problem. White kids who feel like they aren't allowed to listen to mainstream hip-hop is the problem. Yellowcard being as big as they are is a problem. Same with Panic at the Disco. I could go on. For some reason our generation chooses to listen to bad music. There will always be bad music, but I'm afraid this is an especially low point. We have the internet, itunes, a million different options, yet we listen to the most unsatisfying, ear-grating garbage. Chances are, if you're on this site, you're part of the problem.
soooo....why are you here?

[GDSP]

soooo....why are you here?

I'm exempt cause I'm awesome

[ironlionOROKU]

we forget that music is all about opinion...people like nickelback...i don't....i like wu tang....my mom does not.....TO EACH HIS OWN

[MotionIsntMeaning]

soooo....why are you here?

hahaha.......:appl:

[TheArdentLove]

"I'm not submerged in the three-chord punk/emo/pop world of adolescent pseudo-angst."

Haha

Here's the real problem. American white kids have low expectations and listen to music that isn't even fun. Underoath selling 100k is the problem. My Chemical Romance and Fall Out Boy being last year's breakout hits among the 16-20 US demographic instead of M.I.A. or Art Brut is the problem. White kids who feel like they aren't allowed to listen to mainstream hip-hop is the problem. Yellowcard being as big as they are is a problem. Same with Panic at the Disco. I could go on. For some reason our generation chooses to listen to bad music. There will always be bad music, but I'm afraid this is an especially low point. We have the internet, itunes, a million different options, yet we listen to the most unsatisfying, ear-grating garbage. Chances are, if you're on this site, you're part of the problem.

I agree with some of the things you said but a lot of it is just your opinion. By saying that our generation listens to bad music is ignorant. You don't know everything that our generation listens to. It seems like you are coming off as if only the music you listen to is good when someone else might have a different preference than you. And you contradict yourself on your last sentence even though someone else already pointed that out.

[howdydoody]

i think its pretty much a no brainer that music is marketed to young impressionable kids that are seeking some kind of identity in what is "cool".FUCK MTV. i'm fucking 24 years old, and even i have a hard fucking time not being entralled by the b/s episodes of "next" and "parental control" but ya.. labels cash in on 1 or 2 bands that kick start awe in the minds of teens,and follow suit not always by mass producing, but mass "hunting". They intentionally go looking for the oddball look and the catchy sound, and this recently applies to the swarm of popularity surrounding "emo" (i hate that term by the way.. all music is meant to be emo) NOW.. in terms of other genres of music, there is so much redundancy exist in in the "rollin on dubbs, gold teeth, oversize jerseys, and jiggly TNA, such labels are even more guilty of this terrible sin known as force feeding shitty morals to sleep on.. i think it was "4000 thread count egyptian cotton". IDK.. i'm totally on a rant. the problem w/ marketing is that wise guys who don't give a shit or can even delve a little deeper into their brain to appreciate some substance behind music are the ones in control, and the gullible desensitized youthful generations are pretty much like sheep, hence, they follow. Sheep breed sheep, at least last i checked they did. So call me old fashioned, but this world is going to hell in a hand basket, the majority of youth disturb me, and it's not like it used to be "in the good ole days"

[/end incomprehensible rant]

[Vicky82]

we forget that music is all about opinion...people like nickelback...i don't....i like wu tang....my mom does not.....TO EACH HIS OWN
hell yes that is the complete problem which can clearly be displayed on this website with all the fighting about people loving/hating a certain band.
To Each His Own....i like that

[AdamWASFearless]

I respectfully disagree with you.

These answers aren't insightful or even interesting. Some of the answers aren't even on topic.

What's wrong with the way music is marketed to you?

This is an interesting question. Morally, there's a lot of things wrong. Business-end, there's less things. And personal beliefs are an entire different door to open.


-ACA

Your response was great but I think it was waaay to deep for the average music industry exec. Maybe I'm reading too much into it but I thought the responses were college students finally being able to address major labels in a condescending way instead of the other way around.

It was a pat on the head telling them "no no no - you're doing it all wrong. Do it this way instead"

I mostly agreee with you on the morals part - the lowest common denominator being the road most traveled among major artists. My opinion is that you can't police morals. Unfortunately, if history tells us anything, I think each generation will have their version of a music industry "passion play" - 4 acts of hedonism, immorality, and chaos, and one act of repentance.

[oldwirehands]

Has anyone blamed kids yet? Kids are a huge part of the problem as well.

[GDSP]

I agree with some of the things you said but a lot of it is just your opinion. By saying that our generation listens to bad music is ignorant. You don't know everything that our generation listens to. It seems like you are coming off as if only the music you listen to is good when someone else might have a different preference than you. And you contradict yourself on your last sentence even though someone else already pointed that out.

The point is there are more options for new music than ever before in the history of the universe and kids still choose bad music. I guess back in 1995 you could blame the music industry for not getting behind good acts, but now its the consumers fault. Seriously, M.I.A.'s aruler was an example of groundbreaking music that was more fun and more exciting than 99% of the stuff kids drool about on here, and even though it did respectable, why didn't it go Gold? Same with Art Brut. Same with LCD Soundsystem. Same with Cam'ron. Good music is everywhere, but for some reason most of ya'll are stuck listening to 2006's version of Backstreet Boys dressed in Hot Topic coutere.

[blimpcityhero11]

They stole the love from our lives to put the sex on the radio.

Incredibly put... There's plenty of reasons why the music industry is what it is today.

One of the main problems I see is that many people are condescending in judging who should be listening to what music. Music is no longer left to the ears, and thus behind every genre there is an image.

[blimpcityhero11]

The point is there are more options for new music than ever before in the history of the universe and kids still choose bad music. I guess back in 1995 you could blame the music industry for not getting behind good acts, but now its the consumers fault. Seriously, M.I.A.'s aruler was an example of groundbreaking music that was more fun and more exciting than 99% of the stuff kids drool about on here, and even though it did respectable, why didn't it go Gold? Same with Art Brut. Same with LCD Soundsystem. Same with Cam'ron. Good music is everywhere, but for some reason most of ya'll are stuck listening to 2006's version of Backstreet Boys dressed in Hot Topic coutere.

There is no good or bad music. Music is left up to the interpretation of its listener. Everyone has their own tastes in music, so you really can't place blame on the consumers. I guess if you really want to blame on someone for the lack of success of a band it would have to be on the record label for not promoting a certain band as much, but what you're saying is fully opinionated.

[TheArdentLove]

The point is there are more options for new music than ever before in the history of the universe and kids still choose bad music. I guess back in 1995 you could blame the music industry for not getting behind good acts, but now its the consumers fault. Seriously, M.I.A.'s aruler was an example of groundbreaking music that was more fun and more exciting than 99% of the stuff kids drool about on here, and even though it did respectable, why didn't it go Gold? Same with Art Brut. Same with LCD Soundsystem. Same with Cam'ron. Good music is everywhere, but for some reason most of ya'll are stuck listening to 2006's version of Backstreet Boys dressed in Hot Topic coutere.

Yeah, I completely agree with what you're saying. I hate seeing bands such as Panic! At The Disco becoming so huge when there are so many other bands/artists that deserve it way more.

[theguiltyfew]

"I'm not submerged in the three-chord punk/emo/pop world of adolescent pseudo-angst."

Haha

Here's the real problem. American white kids have low expectations and listen to music that isn't even fun. Underoath selling 100k is the problem. My Chemical Romance and Fall Out Boy being last year's breakout hits among the 16-20 US demographic instead of M.I.A. or Art Brut is the problem. White kids who feel like they aren't allowed to listen to mainstream hip-hop is the problem. Yellowcard being as big as they are is a problem. Same with Panic at the Disco. I could go on. For some reason our generation chooses to listen to bad music. There will always be bad music, but I'm afraid this is an especially low point. We have the internet, itunes, a million different options, yet we listen to the most unsatisfying, ear-grating garbage. Chances are, if you're on this site, you're part of the problem.

You made no real point, except that you dont like the bands you mentioned above. But that is your opinion people obviously do like those bands.

I think you're part of the problem. You aren't open-minded enough to listen to different genres of music. Why do you have to come and hate on everyone at this site? If you don't like the type of music that this site supports then don't read it. Don't bother posting here.

[AdamWASFearless]

Good music is everywhere, but for some reason most of ya'll are stuck listening to 2006's version of Backstreet Boys dressed in Hot Topic coutere.

Which leads us to the question - why do we recognize this and other people don't ? Maybe the question should be - do kids care that their favorite band is that way?

Maybe the don't :-(

[GDSP]

[QUOTE=blimpcityhero11]There is no good or bad music. /QUOTE]

I changed my mind. YOU'RE officially the reason why music is so bad right now.

[lightcollapse]

majors follow trends. instead of creating new trends and marketing innovative and interesting bands, they beat the old ones to a dead horse and wait for them to fade. they just have no idea what to do with bands that could make in impact on music in general.

[GDSP]

majors follow trends. instead of creating new trends and marketing innovative and interesting bands, they beat the old ones to a dead horse and wait for them to fade. they just have no idea what to do with bands that could make in impact on music in general.

Let's face it. Its a consumer-controlled market right now. Clap Your hands Say Yeah and the arctic monkeys can get big overnight with nothing more than internet blog buzz. You can't blame the industry as much anymore.

[FASSWcore]

they didn't say anything i haven't thought or heard before. people will still buy into the shit, good for them to state the obvious.

[heyRomanticA__x]

"I'm not submerged in the three-chord punk/emo/pop world of adolescent pseudo-angst."

He lost his credit with me in that very sentence. Go listen to Takaru. Then come back to me and tell me they use three chords. This read was not very interesting, but that's just my opinion.

[NerdXCorE]

Why is music fucked?
Cause you kids put down the Bane and American Nightmare records and picked up Hawthorne Heights and Cute Is What We Aim For. You traded in the honesty for girls jeans and eyeliner. Now you've got just what you asked for, music that means nothing but has cute clever phrasing. It's fast food music, yeah, it gets the job done, but it has no nutritional value. This isn't a new thing, remember hair metal...yeah...that's where we are right now. Call Aiden the new Motley Crue and move down the line. And don't blame the labels, a label is just a business and they do what any business does, tries to make money, but the label can't sign what doesn't exist and what they haven't heard of. Ours is a generation of mall punks, I watch you play dress up at the shows, it's disguisting. I watch you get pissed cause you can't make it to the front of the crown and when you get there get pissed that everyone is pushing...Kid, if you can't handle it, you don't belong there. I watched you at the Lifetime show in Austin, yelling at people because you were waiting for My Chem (Nothing against My Chem, especially considering Frank was in the pit killing himself with the rest of us). How many of us know exactly what "autotune" sounds like? Am I the only one that see's a problem with that. You know what autotune and quantizing mean...it means the band can't fucking hack it. Maybe I'm bitter cause I see amazing bands get overlooked and shit bands get everything they never deserved. Yellowcard's record "failed" cause it didn't sell 2 million copies, but an amazig band like Moneen who actually deserves those numbers kills themselves on stage every night and might never sell 50,000. Kids I know you are all gonna bash me for what I've said but come on, really take a look at what you are allowing to happen to a scene you all "love". Thanks.

[Blake Solomon]

Well, they sure did try very hard to sound intelligent and that they are "above" the problem. I dont blame Panic! or FOB or any bands like that found success compared to the supposed "bands that deserve it more". The great thing about music, is that, if you know where to look, you can find a band that suits you. Dont watch MTV for new music, because as one of the kids said, they dont get anything when it comes out, they wait until its made a buzz. Music is a business and if you are on a major label, you are going to be marketed to certain group, though, its up to the artist to draw the line, they must stop the label at one point and say "thats not who we are, and you should respect that." Someone said "blame kids", and yeah they are part of the problem, but the problem was forced on them. They are impressionable and without realizing it, they become part of the fad. My 10th grade sister would call Panic!'s album an Opus, if she knew what that word even meant. Kids cant get away from the marketing, i guess, after this long and all-over-the-place post, i would have to say, cut down on marketing, dont force the music, just force an opinion. Give us the option to choose, dont tell us what to choose.

[AdamWASFearless]

wait a second...MTV plays music?

[TheNumberOneFan]

wait a second...MTV plays music?

no.. don't be fooled

[Adeniz19]

That Benjamin Braun dude seems like an asshole, and I don't agree with what he said at all. I fully agree with what Andrew Hayward had to say tho.

[TheArdentLove]

Why is music fucked?
Cause you kids put down the Bane and American Nightmare records and picked up Hawthorne Heights and Cute Is What We Aim For. You traded in the honesty for girls jeans and eyeliner. Now you've got just what you asked for, music that means nothing but has cute clever phrasing. It's fast food music, yeah, it gets the job done, but it has no nutritional value. This isn't a new thing, remember hair metal...yeah...that's where we are right now. Call Aiden the new Motley Crue and move down the line. And don't blame the labels, a label is just a business and they do what any business does, tries to make money, but the label can't sign what doesn't exist and what they haven't heard of. Ours is a generation of mall punks, I watch you play dress up at the shows, it's disguisting. I watch you get pissed cause you can't make it to the front of the crown and when you get there get pissed that everyone is pushing...Kid, if you can't handle it, you don't belong there. I watched you at the Lifetime show in Austin, yelling at people because you were waiting for My Chem (Nothing against My Chem, especially considering Frank was in the pit killing himself with the rest of us). How many of us know exactly what "autotune" sounds like? Am I the only one that see's a problem with that. You know what autotune and quantizing mean...it means the band can't fucking hack it. Maybe I'm bitter cause I see amazing bands get overlooked and shit bands get everything they never deserved. Yellowcard's record "failed" cause it didn't sell 2 million copies, but an amazig band like Moneen who actually deserves those numbers kills themselves on stage every night and might never sell 50,000. Kids I know you are all gonna bash me for what I've said but come on, really take a look at what you are allowing to happen to a scene you all "love". Thanks.


You're kinda generalizing things here but I agree with you overall. The whole Yellowcard shit about them failing because they ONLY sold 300,000 something records is disgusting. A lot of deserving bands work so hard and don't sell 300,000 albums throughout their carrer.

[Adeniz19]

Why is music fucked?
Cause you kids put down the Bane and American Nightmare records and picked up Hawthorne Heights and Cute Is What We Aim For. You traded in the honesty for girls jeans and eyeliner. Now you've got just what you asked for, music that means nothing but has cute clever phrasing. It's fast food music, yeah, it gets the job done, but it has no nutritional value. This isn't a new thing, remember hair metal...yeah...that's where we are right now. Call Aiden the new Motley Crue and move down the line. And don't blame the labels, a label is just a business and they do what any business does, tries to make money, but the label can't sign what doesn't exist and what they haven't heard of. Ours is a generation of mall punks, I watch you play dress up at the shows, it's disguisting. I watch you get pissed cause you can't make it to the front of the crown and when you get there get pissed that everyone is pushing...Kid, if you can't handle it, you don't belong there. I watched you at the Lifetime show in Austin, yelling at people because you were waiting for My Chem (Nothing against My Chem, especially considering Frank was in the pit killing himself with the rest of us). How many of us know exactly what "autotune" sounds like? Am I the only one that see's a problem with that. You know what autotune and quantizing mean...it means the band can't fucking hack it. Maybe I'm bitter cause I see amazing bands get overlooked and shit bands get everything they never deserved. Yellowcard's record "failed" cause it didn't sell 2 million copies, but an amazig band like Moneen who actually deserves those numbers kills themselves on stage every night and might never sell 50,000. Kids I know you are all gonna bash me for what I've said but come on, really take a look at what you are allowing to happen to a scene you all "love". Thanks.you sir, should of entered this to that website. very well said.

[Nate_RAWKS]

Why is music fucked?
Cause you kids put down the Bane and American Nightmare records and picked up Hawthorne Heights and Cute Is What We Aim For. You traded in the honesty for girls jeans and eyeliner. Now you've got just what you asked for, music that means nothing but has cute clever phrasing. It's fast food music, yeah, it gets the job done, but it has no nutritional value. This isn't a new thing, remember hair metal...yeah...that's where we are right now. Call Aiden the new Motley Crue and move down the line. And don't blame the labels, a label is just a business and they do what any business does, tries to make money, but the label can't sign what doesn't exist and what they haven't heard of. Ours is a generation of mall punks, I watch you play dress up at the shows, it's disguisting. I watch you get pissed cause you can't make it to the front of the crown and when you get there get pissed that everyone is pushing...Kid, if you can't handle it, you don't belong there. I watched you at the Lifetime show in Austin, yelling at people because you were waiting for My Chem (Nothing against My Chem, especially considering Frank was in the pit killing himself with the rest of us). How many of us know exactly what "autotune" sounds like? Am I the only one that see's a problem with that. You know what autotune and quantizing mean...it means the band can't fucking hack it. Maybe I'm bitter cause I see amazing bands get overlooked and shit bands get everything they never deserved. Yellowcard's record "failed" cause it didn't sell 2 million copies, but an amazig band like Moneen who actually deserves those numbers kills themselves on stage every night and might never sell 50,000. Kids I know you are all gonna bash me for what I've said but come on, really take a look at what you are allowing to happen to a scene you all "love". Thanks.

:appl:

That was great it's pretty much exactly how i feel.

Well said...

[lightcollapse]

Let's face it. Its a consumer-controlled market right now. Clap Your hands Say Yeah and the arctic monkeys can get big overnight with nothing more than internet blog buzz. You can't blame the industry as much anymore.

it depends how you define big. clap your hands has broke 100k, but outside of the indie scene noobdy's heard of them.

so yes, you can blame the industry when every week a generic rap star takes the number one spot on the chart.

[lightcollapse]

Why is music fucked?
Cause you kids put down the Bane and American Nightmare records and picked up Hawthorne Heights and Cute Is What We Aim For. You traded in the honesty for girls jeans and eyeliner. Now you've got just what you asked for, music that means nothing but has cute clever phrasing. It's fast food music, yeah, it gets the job done, but it has no nutritional value. This isn't a new thing, remember hair metal...yeah...that's where we are right now. Call Aiden the new Motley Crue and move down the line. And don't blame the labels, a label is just a business and they do what any business does, tries to make money, but the label can't sign what doesn't exist and what they haven't heard of. Ours is a generation of mall punks, I watch you play dress up at the shows, it's disguisting. I watch you get pissed cause you can't make it to the front of the crown and when you get there get pissed that everyone is pushing...Kid, if you can't handle it, you don't belong there. I watched you at the Lifetime show in Austin, yelling at people because you were waiting for My Chem (Nothing against My Chem, especially considering Frank was in the pit killing himself with the rest of us). How many of us know exactly what "autotune" sounds like? Am I the only one that see's a problem with that. You know what autotune and quantizing mean...it means the band can't fucking hack it. Maybe I'm bitter cause I see amazing bands get overlooked and shit bands get everything they never deserved. Yellowcard's record "failed" cause it didn't sell 2 million copies, but an amazig band like Moneen who actually deserves those numbers kills themselves on stage every night and might never sell 50,000. Kids I know you are all gonna bash me for what I've said but come on, really take a look at what you are allowing to happen to a scene you all "love". Thanks.

you're the fucking champion.

[Bobcat46308]

what does autotune sound like? did springsteen use it? God, i hope not

[CloseToShore]

Like what's been said before, the music industry sees many a young mind as just impressionable mush that it can mold and go, "Here "insert band x". Listen to this because it's cool. Everyone else does it. Everyone dresses like them. It's the next big thing in music." Really, there is NO NEXT BIG THING IN MUSIC. Everything just continues to progress (and in some parts regress as well) over time. Music just becomes another trend. It really is up the person to think for themself and find the music that THEY want to listen to. Not the bs crap that's played on the radio and empTV. Kids are connected to the internet by way of their own and their friends. Make your own damn choices and listen to what YOU want to. But really, I (in my own opinion) find that it's half the music industry business and half the kids fault for the reason why we're marketed the music that we are. It's a fast food world out there nowadays and people just want the next thing as soon as they finish the last (sometimes before they finish too) and the record companies are more than willing to satiate them. If people were to just open up their eyes and ears and find stuff they they like and love, well the music industry will just jump on that as well. It's like trying to keep up with the jones' for both sides. No one wins, but no one loses either. I'll admit that I listen to some stuff that's considered cookie cutter (insert term to describe that type of punk). I also listen to stuff that's not. Stuff that's out there that the record execs and kids (teens, adults too) would deem too weird and not viable to feed their fast food needs. It really is all a matter of opinion and finding what you like. If someone hates it because the music industry isn;t promoting it, or you hate because the music industry is promoting it, well, tough shit you know? It's what I like and not what you like, or it's what you like and I don't like, I just really don't care.. Sorry I'm ranting but just listen to what you love and stay true to your own music and own tastes and just be yourself, not what the record companies and legions want. Trends happen, trends fade, music lives on.

[blimpcityhero11]

[quote=blimpcityhero11]There is no good or bad music. /QUOTE]

I changed my mind. YOU'RE officially the reason why music is so bad right now.

You may not agree with me, but atleast I'm making a coherent statement about the state of music. It's not like people are wrong for liking mainstream music. Music is only as good or bad as the singular listener deems it. It's this little thing called opinion, which you seem to not understand all.

[rhinitus]

all i heard while i was reading these was "blah blah blah, im a dirty whore"

the first two sucked and i couldnt get over it to read the other ones.

speaking of autotune, how do you hear that? ive been wondering that ever since tate bitched out CIWWAF

[tytyty]

All I have to say is the new Underoath CD is amazing. And that's all that matters.

[GDSP]

All I have to say is the new Underoath CD is amazing. And that's all that matters.
Here's an example...
If music were a person, Underoath would cause them to lock themselves in a bathroom and cry for days.

[tytyty]

omg u r so funy

No, seriously, where did you get that joke? That's the funniest thing I've ever heard, ever. Are you friends with Howie Mandel?!

[mickmadethelist]

As far as whats wrong with the way its being marketed heres my take.

Everyone thinks that if we like one band, we are forced to like another. How many times have you picked up the latest victory release and saw that massive sticker covering the artwork? there are only so many bands that will be the next thursday. When i look at the cd and it says in giant font with !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! all around it and it proclaims "for fans of thursday, taking back sunday, hawthorne heights", 1-it will alienate someone who may have enjoyed it otherwise and 2-ive seen that done alot already, so it wont conviince me to buy shit.

Promotional things.-Stickers work...sometimes. if some random dude walks up to me and gives me a sticker, im pumped because its a sticker. Once in a while ill check out the band, but its rare.fliers are more just a pain in the ass because i get so many of them at something like warped tour and i just end up tossing it. there needs to be a new media of sorts, or collaborative media. listen to a song...get a pack of stickers, or a poster, or something to influence it.

Old school concert posters are still out there (like with what brand new does on the tours) and they can draw people in. the lack of them means ultimately less promotion for shows.

Indies are having a major label mindset. The idea of family with labels is gone. some bands are bringing it back, but some labels just arent trying anymore.

Its all i have for now

[GDSP]

omg u r so funy

No, seriously, where did you get that joke? That's the funniest thing I've ever heard, ever. Are you friends with Howie Mandel?!

Even Howie Mandel would understand how awful Underoath sounds.

[*crying stars*]

Why is music fucked?
Cause you kids put down the Bane and American Nightmare records and picked up Hawthorne Heights and Cute Is What We Aim For. You traded in the honesty for girls jeans and eyeliner. Now you've got just what you asked for, music that means nothing but has cute clever phrasing. It's fast food music, yeah, it gets the job done, but it has no nutritional value. This isn't a new thing, remember hair metal...yeah...that's where we are right now. Call Aiden the new Motley Crue and move down the line. And don't blame the labels, a label is just a business and they do what any business does, tries to make money, but the label can't sign what doesn't exist and what they haven't heard of. Ours is a generation of mall punks, I watch you play dress up at the shows, it's disguisting. I watch you get pissed cause you can't make it to the front of the crown and when you get there get pissed that everyone is pushing...Kid, if you can't handle it, you don't belong there. I watched you at the Lifetime show in Austin, yelling at people because you were waiting for My Chem (Nothing against My Chem, especially considering Frank was in the pit killing himself with the rest of us). How many of us know exactly what "autotune" sounds like? Am I the only one that see's a problem with that. You know what autotune and quantizing mean...it means the band can't fucking hack it. Maybe I'm bitter cause I see amazing bands get overlooked and shit bands get everything they never deserved. Yellowcard's record "failed" cause it didn't sell 2 million copies, but an amazig band like Moneen who actually deserves those numbers kills themselves on stage every night and might never sell 50,000. Kids I know you are all gonna bash me for what I've said but come on, really take a look at what you are allowing to happen to a scene you all "love". Thanks.

yes.

"I'm not submerged in the three-chord punk/emo/pop world of adolescent pseudo-angst."

Haha

Here's the real problem. American white kids have low expectations and listen to music that isn't even fun. Underoath selling 100k is the problem. My Chemical Romance and Fall Out Boy being last year's breakout hits among the 16-20 US demographic instead of M.I.A. or Art Brut is the problem. White kids who feel like they aren't allowed to listen to mainstream hip-hop is the problem. Yellowcard being as big as they are is a problem. Same with Panic at the Disco. I could go on. For some reason our generation chooses to listen to bad music. There will always be bad music, but I'm afraid this is an especially low point. We have the internet, itunes, a million different options, yet we listen to the most unsatisfying, ear-grating garbage. Chances are, if you're on this site, you're part of the problem.

it's called personal opinion. and at least the person quoted above you had the decency to point it out without making himself look like a jerk.

[tytyty]

Even Howie Mandel would understand how awful Underoath sounds.

Aw shucks...

[GDSP]

yes.



it's called personal opinion. and at least the person quoted above you had the decency to point it out without making himself look like a jerk.

Look, personal preference is fine. There's nothing wrong with liking bands that are objectively embarrassing. But if we're going to have a frank and honest discussion about what's killing the music industry, it'll be hard not to list examples.

[colormecadence]

I'm getting sick and tired of people whining about how they hate good pop-hook songs... Just because you have an obsession with artists who seem to abhore the limelight does not mean that those who bask in it ALL SUCK. Think back over the past 30 years of rock/R&B/pop... It's seems to be true that artists in the late 60s early 70s were being more creative, yet they were just beginning to experience the thrill of the electric guitar, so that should be expected. Yet, the majority of "hit songs" that era produced, and more importantly, influenced (through the late 70s to 90s), no matter how out there, still ring true with a good pop-hook.

For reference, please see:
Led Z. - Stairway to Heaven
Pink Floyd - Money
U2 - Sunday Bloody Sunday

The best part is, most of the artists think we are all full of crap... We sit on message boards like this and load pages on top of pages why it was "x" labels fault that "x" artist didn't blow up because their marketing sucks... But the artists don't care, period, they're signed and scratching out the only lliving a lot of them are capable of making. And you know why, because while they were crafting their passion, the rest of us went to school and earned that 2-5 years of experience necesary to make it in the professional world.

Conclusion... Only 2-5% of major label artists will make a true CAREER out of thier music, meaning working at it until they are at least 45 or so... The rest will either strike while iron is hot and retire early, or pittle out and serve the $3 special at Coco's while waiting for their independant label to take off. Either way, I still can't get the Stones "Satisfaction" out of my head, so more power to them.

[Nate_RAWKS]

I'm getting sick and tired of people whining about how they hate good pop-hook songs... Just because you have an obsession with artists who seem to abhore the limelight does not mean that those who bask in it ALL SUCK. Think back over the past 30 years of rock/R&B/pop... It's seems to be true that artists in the late 60s early 70s were being more creative, yet they were just beginning to experience the thrill of the electric guitar, so that should be expected. Yet, the majority of "hit songs" that era produced, and more importantly, influenced (through the late 70s to 90s), no matter how out there, still ring true with a good pop-hook.

For reference, please see:
Led Z. - Stairway to Heaven
Pink Floyd - Money
U2 - Sunday Bloody Sunday

The best part is, most of the artists think we are all full of crap... We sit on message boards like this and load pages on top of pages why it was "x" labels fault that "x" artist didn't blow up because their marketing sucks... But the artists don't care, period, they're signed and scratching out the only lliving a lot of them are capable of making. And you know why, because while they were crafting their passion, the rest of us went to school and earned that 2-5 years of experience necesary to make it in the professional world.

Conclusion... Only 2-5% of major label artists will make a true CAREER out of thier music, meaning working at it until they are at least 45 or so... The rest will either strike while iron is hot and retire early, or pittle out and serve the $3 special at Coco's while waiting for their independant label to take off. Either way, I still can't get the Stones "Satisfaction" out of my head, so more power to them.



nice! :goodpost:

[dashin]

I have to say that I respect every reply here, no matter how much I disagree.

For example:

"I'm not submerged in the three-chord punk/emo/pop world of adolescent pseudo-angst."

I'm happy for the guy. But the statement sounds ignorant, like ALL modern punk/emo/pop is "adolescent pseudo-angst" Maybe that's not what he meant?, sounds like it though. Nirvana had some three-chord punk riffs and some "angst" songs like "stay away" but I still loved it. Why? Sounded great to me. I liked some of fall out boys songs, what the hell is wrong with me? Sorry if my expectations are not as high as yours. That’s just my personality. I'm open to anything. I usually can like anything if I can figure out why a group of people feel so passionate about a particular song. I personally don't like feeling the feeling that i'm close minded.

"Here's the real problem. American white kids have low expectations and listen to music that isn't even fun. Underoath selling 100k is the problem. My Chemical Romance and Fall Out Boy being last year's breakout hits among the 16-20 US demographic instead of M.I.A. or Art Brut is the problem. White kids who feel like they aren't allowed to listen to mainstream hip-hop is the problem. Yellowcard being as big as they are is a problem. Same with Panic at the Disco. I could go on. For some reason our generation chooses to listen to bad music. There will always be bad music, but I'm afraid this is an especially low point. We have the internet, itunes, a million different options, yet we listen to the most unsatisfying, ear-grating garbage. Chances are, if you're on this site, you're part of the problem."

I agree about the exploitation of human traits but hey, that's just the industry being good at their business. I think it's wrong. But that’s my opinion.


For some reason our generation chooses to listen to bad music.

I could be wrong, but I don’t think that you and you alone can dictate what is good or bad music since it is based on person preference.

Did you mean technically bad? Like they are not very technically skilled guitarists, drummers, singers, and bassists? I do agree that some individual singers and guitar players are not very good. And the music they create as a whole is not very complex but I like it that way. I know allot of people who like music where every person in the band or group is extremely skilled. I also noticed that allot of those people coincidental like jazz or speed metal, and I can see why. And I do like some, but I get sick of it faster.

[PopPunkKid]

Blah. Personally I think people really overthink this stuff. If you hear a catchy ass pop punk song with loud guitars and it makes you want to rock out, by all means- rock out to it. Don't sit there and act like you hate it because your afraid you'd lose your "credibility" or w/e. I'd rather listen to a simple 3 chord pop punk band than some overblown, boring prog band anyday.

[deja andyroo]

That Benjamin Braun dude seems like an asshole, and I don't agree with what he said at all. I fully agree with what Andrew Hayward had to say tho.
Thank you, and yeah, I get that feeling too. He's probably not, but I think he's trying too hard with his essays.

I like how they all seemed to perfectly avoid answering the question posed to them.
I actually agree with you on this, and I'm one of the writers. When I wrote the essay, I was trying to go for a slightly less straight-forward response, but in hindsight, I should have addressed it directly. Also, the amount of words we are allowed to answer a wide-open question like "Tell us everything that's wrong..." with is severely limiting. Sure, you could just type out a list, but that's not a very good read.

We already submitted our responses to the second question three weeks ago but have not heard who won the second round. I think my second essay went a lot better than the first, but who knows. I'm not concerned.

[LearningFromPop]

Has anyone blamed kids yet? Kids are a huge part of the problem as well.I have to agree with this one; most kids are just plain lazy when it comes to music. They'll take what they're given instead of exploring. Perfectally contented with the song that's got the easiest lyrics to learn and the tune easiest to hum. They don't want to take the time to LISTEN to music, to digest it. So that's what these labels do; feed them the pre-chewed drabble that's all over the top 40 charts today.

[noodledancer]

Blah. Personally I think people really overthink this stuff. If you hear a catchy ass pop punk song with loud guitars and it makes you want to rock out, by all means- rock out to it. Don't sit there and act like you hate it because your afraid you'd lose your "credibility" or w/e. I'd rather listen to a simple 3 chord pop punk band than some overblown, boring prog band anyday. :wow:

[TheBaroness]

Main problems as I see them:

- The advent of the Music Video: Marked the turning point when music became more about image (i.e. what the artist looks like) and less about the quality of the songs.

- Record Labels aren't willing to take risks: Another user mentioned this earlier, it's very apt. Also the same reason Hollywood is churning out remakes/sequels of every film that was ever moderately successful. People at the labels have their careers/necks riding on the success of a given artist. In that situation you're obviously going to put your weight behind a 'sure thing', rather than a high-risk project that may leave you fired and in the poor house. The fact remains that, these days, record labels have a responsibility to their shareholders to be profitible entities, and that this overrides their responsibilities to provide consumers with quality music.

- Record Labels haven't adapted to changing mediums/tastes: The RIAA is a perfect example of this. Instead of looking at new and innovative ways to market music using internet resources, they'd rather sue college kids and bitch about piracy. The recording industry is as bereft of ideas as any industry I've ever seen.

- (This one'll be a bit more controversial) Record Labels are being too short-sighted marketing exclusivly to kids: Children have less disposable income/greater access and understanding of downloading than older demographics, which record execs seem to have completely forgotten about. If you look, however, at acts such as Buble, Il Divo etc, there is definately a large adult-contemporary market that is just begging to be further exploited. However, because record execs like to think of themselves as being up with the young, hip crowd, they try and cater too exclusivly to these markets, while neglecting other potentially profitiable areas.

No one has time to listen to abums anymore: This is a generalization, but in our hectic fast food/one hour photo world, people don't have time to sit through 10+ tracks (particularly if they're mediocre). Modern radio has made it so easy for people to get that instant hit of satisfaction from 3 minutes of pop ditties that alternate constantly. If that's enough for you (as it is for many people), why would you want to listen to whole albums

On a more positive note, I think that the currently problems with the music industry are leaving the door open for indies to capitalize on that 10% of consumers who are fed up with modern music/the way that it's being marketed to them. Indies can trump majors by being more technically savvy/in tune with new/changing/exciting movements. Let's just hope that they don't get caught up with the major's trend of pushing repetitive genres/styles.

[Dan1234]

I have to agree with this one; most kids are just plain lazy when it comes to music. They'll take what they're given instead of exploring. Perfectally contented with the song that's got the easiest lyrics to learn and the tune easiest to hum. They don't want to take the time to LISTEN to music, to digest it. So that's what these labels do; feed them the pre-chewed drabble that's all over the top 40 charts today.

i couldn't agree more, plus mtv only promotes certain types of music, when was the last time a ska band was on mtv? never, that music isn't "cool" anymore says mtv

plus on trl they only play like 30 seconds of the song, people would rather talk about the music than actually listen to it

[Nate_RAWKS]

Blah. Personally I think people really overthink this stuff. If you hear a catchy ass pop punk song with loud guitars and it makes you want to rock out, by all means- rock out to it. Don't sit there and act like you hate it because your afraid you'd lose your "credibility" or w/e. I'd rather listen to a simple 3 chord pop punk band than some overblown, boring prog band anyday.


that's how i live my life fuck what anyone else thinks...

Let's be pals..